Liquid self-igniting device.



S. B. BATTBY- LIQUID SELF IGNITING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 19. 1909 .L 11 9 1 11 2 L m d e t n 8 m P INVENTOR 33.130776 mo er UNITED sTArnsrarENT OFFICE.

SUH'IEB B. BATTEY, 0F NLW YORK, N. Y.

LIQUID SELF-IGNITING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Original application 110d April 7, 1909, Serial No. 488,5".

Patented Mar. 21, 1911. Divided and this application filed June 19, 1909.

Serial No. m mosa.

Tb all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SUMTER B. BA'rrnY, a citizen of the United States, and a iesident of the borough of Manhattan, county, city, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Liquid Self-Igniting Devices, as set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to self-igniters, and is particularly ap licable to self-igniting pocket lighters re ying upon a catalytic agentfor self-ignition and employing a vaporizable combustible liquid, such as alcohol.

It is an object of the invention to produce a self-ignited flame by means of a portable, cheap and efficient device which may be manually operated with convenience and despatch.

According to the invention means is provided for forcing a combustible liquid positively through a duct or conduit into the interior of a burner casing, which casing incloses the catalytic agent.

An important feature of this invention is the improvementof this means, to which end there is provided a metallic receptacle forming a complete inclosure for the combustible liquid and having one or more self restoring depressible portions on its walls or in its walls which may be manually depressed to force liquid through the duct or conduit into the casing.

Further objects of the invention are to improve in general the construction of selfigniters and will be clear from the following description and claims which should be read in connection with the accompanying drawings' forming part of this application. My prior application, Serial No.'488,538, filed April 7, 1909 now Patent No. 970,294, September 13, 1910, also discloses a pocket lighter in which combustible liquid still in liquid form is introduced directly into a wickless burner casing inclosing a catalytic agent.

In the accompanying drawings,-Figure 1 is a vertical section through one embodiment of the apparatus; Fig. 2 isa horizontal section through line III I of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section corresponding to Fig. 1 but showing a modification;- Fig. 4 is a detail elevation; and F 5 is'another fragmentary elevation showing a modification.

In the embodiment illustrated, a substan in the receptacle, 1.

tially flat rectangular rece tacle 1 may be formed of sheet metal, altlibugh the shape and material may be varied, as desired. This receptacle provides a completely inclosed chamber 2 which ma be entirely filled with alcohol by removing the screw threaded closure 3 and inverting the apparatus, it being borne in mind that the closure 3 should be seated to close the filling opening in the receptacle 1 before operating the lighter. In the embodiment shown the opposite walls 4 and 5 are shown provided with outwardly bulging resilient sheet metal portions 6 and 7, it being understood that these portions may be the Walls themselves or in serts. Manual squeezing pressure is effective in depressing both the portions 6 and 7 to decrease the cubic contents or space with The expression depressing is used relatively and means as here used, making an inward depression from normal contour toward the interior of the receptacle 1. The portions 6 and 7 are self-restoring which means that they will spring back through their own resiliency, or through the medium of any suitable spring means, to their normal positions restoring the space Within the receptacle 1 to its nor mal extent.

A metal burner casing 8, which may be cylindrical and closed at its bottom end 9, is suitably mounted relatively to the receptacle 1' and, in the embodiment shown, it is mounted parallel to but slightly spaced apart from the edge of the receptacle 1 by means of the stud 10 which may be brazed, soldered, riveted, or otherwise suitably connected, as by spinning, both to the receptacle 1 and to the burner casing 8.

In the embodimentshown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 a duct or conduit 11 is provided ex tending from the interior of the receptacle 1 into the interior of the burner casing 8 and emptying into a pocket like portion 12, the direction of the duct or conduit in this embodiment being transverse to the axis of the.

casing 8. This duct or conduit is normally open as shown and when not in use liquid such as alcohol is retained within the chamher 2 by means of atmospheric pressure. The wallsof the burner casing 8 provide a wickless burner having a burner opening- 13 which may be closed to extinguish an established flame or for other purposes by means of a sliding sleeve 14 inclosing the cylindrical burner casing 8, to which it may be held in any suitable manner, as by friction. The top end of the burner casing is shown open and provided with a removable plug 15 in which is mounted a frame 16 upon which is suspended by means of platinum filaments 17 a catalytic agent 18 in the form of a pellet and which may be sponge platinum or any suitable substance. This pellet is so positioned and arranged as to be inclosed by the casing 8 and be protected against injury by the same while at the same time being in proper position to effect ignition in a well known manner.

In Fig, 3 the apparatus is with additional features. An opening 19 in alinement with the duct or conduit 11 is provided in the casing 8 and may have screw threaded or other engagement with an operable member shown in the form of a screw 20 manually operable and provided at its inner end with a needle 21, which may be forced through the duct or conduit 11 to clean the same while the conical end 22 of he screw 20 may be forced against the beved mouth 23 of the duct or conduit 11 or the shank of the needle 21 may be forced in to close the conduit 11, in either case to make a positive temporary closure should the same be desired as, for instance, in traveling or when the pocket lighter is not to be used for some time and when the burner opening is closed.

In Fig. 4, 24: indicates a screw which may be substituted for the member 20 to close the opening 19 in the burner casing if the member 20 has been removed, as it may be if desired.

In Fig. 5 further modifications are shown. The duct or conduit 11 previously described is present in this embodiment and in addition a second duct 25, which extends in a different direction from the duct or conduit 11 and may be effective in directing liquid longitudinally of the burner casing. oth ducts communicate with the interior of the receptacle 1. In this embodiment a screen or partition of wire gauze 26 is indicated which may be secured in any suitable manner within the casing 8 to prevent injected liquid spattering out through the opening 13.

Operation: After the receptacle 1 is filled with alcohol the device may be tipped into the position shown in Fig. 1. or with the duct or conduit 11 lower and pressure applied to the portions 6 and 7 and a suitable quantity of liquid alcohol squirted out into the pocket 12. The lighter is then turned to a position with the burner opening'13 uppermost and shaken or waved back and forth through the air. This shaking motion quickly effects the vaporization of alcohol within the burner casing. The vapor is ignited by the catalytic agent and a flame, which will be sustained shown provided.

for an appreciable time, is produced at the mouth 0 the opening 13. If desired, this flame may be continued indefinitely by squirting out additional charges of alcohol in a similar manner to the first operation. As soon as pressure is removed from the depressible side portions 6 and 7 their rcsilience restores them to normal condition and sucks back into the chamber 2 more or less of the surplus alcohol in the retention pocket 12 at the bottom of the burner casing 8, if the alcohol covers the mouth of the duct or conduit 11.

Although it is by no means absolutely neccssary'for some purposes, it may be desirable to have the screen to aid in preventing the spilling of the charge of alcohol during the initial shaking operation.

The flame may be extinguished by slipping the shield 14 over the burner opening 13 or it will go out. as soonas the charge within the casing 8 has been consumed.

In carrying the device it may be well to maintain the duct 11 uppermost although this is not absolutely necessary.

Although emphasis has been laid upon the injection of combustible liquid into the burner casing it is appreciated that the ap-' aratus may be operated so as to inject not iquid but a combustible vapor. therefore made for the structure for delivering combustible fluid, which term fluid includes both liquid and a gas or vapor.

To operate the device to cause the receptacle 1 to deliver a vapor through the duct or conduit 11 the device should be held so that the liquid in chamber 2 does not cover or quite cover the opening into duct 11. Then, by manipulating the selfrestoring depressiblc portions 6 and 7 in and out, first, vapor is delivered into casing 8, then, air is drawn back through the duct or conduit 11 and becomes charged with combustiblevapor in chamber 2, and is again forced out into the burner casing. This may be kept up indefinitely. It has been found that the dcvice will accomplish self-ignition in this manner.

Although there has been illustrated and described a satisfactory embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible. of many satisfactory embodiments, within the scope of the accompanying claims.

What is claimed and what is desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is 1. In a self-igniter, a liquid receptacle forming a complete inclosure and having one or more portions of its walls depressible to decrease the space within said receptacle; a burner casing inclosing a catalytic agent and providing a liquid retention pocket and awickless burner; and a conduit leading from said fluid receptacle to the interior of said burner casing and arranged to convey Claim 18 said liquid from said receptacle into the retention pocket when the lgniter is held in o erable osition and u on the depression of t c said epressible por ion of the receptacle.

2. In a self-i iter, a receptacle for vaporizable combusti le liquid forming a complete inclosure and having a portion of its walls self-restoring and manually depressihle to decrease the space within said receptacle; a burner casing inclosing a catalytic agent and providing a liquid retention pocket, and its walls providing a wickless burner and burner opening; and a conduit leading from said receptacle to the interior of said casing and arranged to convey said liquid from said receptacle into the retention pocket when the igniter is held in operable osition and upon the de ression of'the said depressible portion 0 the receptacle.

3. In a self-igniter, a receptacle for vaporizable combustible liquid formin a complete inclosure and having a portion of walls manually depressible to decrease the space within said receptacle; a burner casing inclosing a catalytic agent and providing a liquid retention pocket; said burner casing having a burner opening; a conduit leading from said receptacle to the interior of said casing and arranged to convey said liquid from said receptacle into the retention pocket when the igniter is held in op erable position and upon the depression of the said depressible portion of the receptacle; and'a wire gauze partition for said casing to prevent the escape of liquid from within the said burner casing.

4. In a self-igniter, a substantially flat sheet metal receptacle forming a complete inclosure for vaporizable combustible liquid and having opposite walls depressible to decrease the space within said receptacle; aburner casing inclosing a catalytic agent and providing a liquid retention pocket and a wickless burner; and a conduit leading from said fluid receptacle to the interior of said burner casing and arranged to convey said liquid from said receptacle into the retention pocket when the igniter is held in operable position and upon the depression of the said depressible portion of the receptacle. v

5. In a self-igniter', a receptacle for vaporizable combustible liquid formin a complete inclosure and having a port-1011 of its walls manually depressible to decrease the space within said receptacle and a normally closed opening said receptacle; a burner casing inclosing'a catalytic agent and providing a liquid retention pocket; said burner casing having a burner opening and providing a wickless burner; and a conduit leading from said receptacle to the interior of said casing and arranged to convey said liquid from said receptacle into the retention pocket when the for the purpose of filling i iter is held in rable osition and u on tfiii de ope cl p canon of thesai tion a the receptacle.

6; In a selzf-igniter a rece tacle for vaporizab'le combustible liquid ormin a complete inclosure and havin a port on of its walls manually depressibfe to decrease the space within said receptacle; a burner casmg mclosmg a catalytic agent and providing a liquid retention pocket; said burner casing having a burner openin and providing a u'ickless burner; a conduit leading'from said receptacle to the interior of said casing and. arranged to convey said liquid from said receptacle into the retention pocket when the Jg'niter is held in operable position and upon the depression of the said depressible portion of the receptacle; and a member providing a cleanin needle and temporary closure for said con uit.

7. 111 a self-igniter, a receptacle for vaporizable combustible liquid forming a complete inclosure and having a portion of its walls manually depressible to decrease the space within said receptacle; a burner casing inclosing a catalytic agent and providing a depressible porliquid retention pocket; said burner casing having a burner opening and providing a \vickless burner; a conduit leading from said receptacle to the interior of said casing and arranged to convey said liquid from said receptacleinto the retention pocket when the igniter is held in operable position and upon the depression of the said depressible portion of the receptacle; and a member providing a temporary closure for said conduit.

8. In a 'self-igniter, a substantially flat sheet metal receptacle'forming acomplete inclosure for vaporizable combustible liquid and having self-restoring opposite walls depressible to decrease thespace within said receptacle; a burner casing inclosing a catalytic agent and providing a liquid retention pocket and a wickless burner; and a conduit leading from saidfluid receptacle to the in? 'terior of said burner casing and arranged to convey said liquid from said receptacle into the retention pocket when the igniter is held in operable'position and upon the depression of the said depressible portion of the receptacle.

9. In a self-igniter, in combinaton, a wckless burner; a catalytic agent fixed in igniting relation to said burner; and means for storing and delivering combustible fluid to said burner, comprising a metallic receptacle integral in construction forming a complete inclosure and having a depressible Wall and an attenuated delivery conduit leading from the interior of said receptacle to the interior of said burner.

10. In a self-igniter, in combination, a

wickless burner; a catalytic agent fixed in igniting relation to said burner; and a re ceptacle for containing vaporlzable combustible liquid and having a conduit leading able wall to force said liquid into said refrom the interior of said receptacle to the tention pocket upon depression and to suck interior of said burner and a self restoring back liquid from said retention pocket upon integral depressible portion for forcing fluid the restoration of said depressible wall to through said conduit into the interior of normal. said burner. In testimony whereof, I have signed my 11. In combination in a pocket lighter, a name to this specification, in the presence of 20 burner casing profidfing a liquidblretlentioin two subscribing witnesses.

ocket; a rece tace or com usti e iqui i ii conduit lea in from the interior of said v BATTEY' receptacle to an opening into the interior 1 Witnesses: of said retention pocket; and said receptacle LEONARD DAY, having a depressible, automatically restor- CHRISTINE E. HANBELMANN. 

